"Do you think relations between blacks and whites in the U.S. have gotten
better, gotten worse, or stayed the same since Barack Obama became
president?"

Gotten
better

Gotten
worse

Stayed
the same

Unsure

%

%

%

%

2/12-15/15

15

39

45

1

Whites

11

45

44

-

Blacks

25

26

47

2

5/16-18/09

32

6

59

2

Whites

30

6

61

3

Blacks

37

2

60

1

"In general, do you think that the country's criminal justice system treats
whites and blacks equally, or does it favor whites over blacks?"

Treats
equally

Favors
whites

Favors
blacks (vol.)

Depends
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

2/12-15/15

42

50

4

2

2

Whites

49

42

6

1

2

Blacks

19

76

-

3

2

12/18-21/14

41

51

1

6

1

Whites

50

42

1

5

2

Non-whites

21

69

1

8

-

Democrats

19

76

1

3

1

Independents

42

47

2

8

1

Republicans

65

28

1

4

2

"As you may know, the Voting Rights Act was passed in the 1960s to prevent
state and local governments from using rules and procedures which prevented
many blacks from voting. Do you think the Voting Rights Act is necessary
today to make sure that blacks are allowed to vote, or do you think the
Voting Rights Act is no longer necessary?"

Is
necessary

No longer
necessary

Unsure

%

%

%

2/12-15/15

51

47

1

Whites

48

50

2

Blacks

76

23

-

Democrats

62

38

-

Independents

52

47

1

Republicans

37

61

2

6/11-13/13

48

50

2

1/12-15/09

52

47

1

"In general, do you think blacks have as good a chance as white people in
your community to get any kind of job for which they are qualified, or don't
you think they have as good a chance?"

"Do you think blacks and other minorities receive
equal treatment as whites in the criminal justice system or not?"

Receive equal
treatment

Do not
receive equal
treatment

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

43

54

4

Whites

52

44

4

Blacks

10

89

1

Hispanics

35

60

5

"How confident are you that the police in this country treat whites and
blacks equally: very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not
confident at all?"

Very
confident

Somewhat
confident

Not so
confident

Not confident
at all

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

21

32

22

24

2

Whites

26

37

19

17

1

Blacks

3

18

20

57

1

Hispanics

15

25

29

29

3

"How confident are you that the police in this country try hard enough to
maintain good relations with different groups in the community: very
confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?"

Very
confident

Somewhat
confident

Not so
confident

Not confident
at all

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

25

41

19

14

1

Whites

31

43

15

10

1

Blacks

4

32

38

26

1

Hispanics

21

37

18

21

3

"How confident are you that the police in this country are adequately
trained to avoid the use of excessive force: very confident, somewhat
confident, not so confident or not confident at all?"

Very
confident

Somewhat
confident

Not so
confident

Not confident
at all

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

20

34

23

21

2

Whites

23

39

20

16

2

Blacks

4

25

30

41

0

Hispanics

22

22

25

27

4

"How confident are you that the police in this country are held accountable
for any misconduct: very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or
not confident at all?"

Very
confident

Somewhat
confident

Not so
confident

Not confident
at all

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

19

33

22

24

2

Whites

23

37

21

17

2

Blacks

5

20

17

57

0

Hispanics

20

15

33

28

3

"As you may know, a grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges
against a white police officer in New York City over the choking death of an
unarmed black man last summer. Do you approve or disapprove of the grand
jury's decision not to charge the police officer?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

31

57

12

Whites

38

49

14

Blacks

6

91

3

Hispanics

25

60

15

"Do you think the recent killings of unarmed African American men by police
in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City are isolated incidents, or a sign
of broader problems in treatment of African Americans by police?" Options rotated

Isolated
incidents

Broader
problems

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

51

43

6

Whites

60

35

5

Blacks

18

74

8

Hispanics

45

51

4

CBS News Poll. Dec. 6-9, 2014. N=1,122 adults nationwide. Margin of
error ± 4.
Per CBS News: "Additional interviews were conducted with African Americans,
who had previously completed a survey as part of a random sample, to yield a
sample size of 287 African Americans. 698 whites were interviewed. The
combined African American and non-African American samples were weighted
separately to match their group’s population characteristics such as gender,
age, education, region, marital status and phone use based on recent U.S.
Census estimates. The samples were then combined and weighted to the total
U.S. adult population."

"Do you think race relations in the United States are generally good or
generally bad?"

Good

Bad

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

12/6-9/14

45

43

13

Whites

47

42

11

Blacks

34

54

12

8/19-20/14

47

44

10

Whites

49

41

10

Blacks

44

48

9

4/30 - 5/1/14

55

33

12

Whites

60

27

13

Blacks

46

46

8

3/26-30/14

59

34

7

Whites

60

33

8

Blacks

55

40

5

8/7-11/13

57

32

11

Whites

58

31

10

Blacks

46

41

13

"Do you think race relations in the United States are getting better,
getting worse or staying about the same?"

Getting
better

Getting
worse

Staying
the same

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

ALL

22

36

40

2

Whites

22

36

40

2

Blacks

11

46

41

2

"Do you think race relations in YOUR COMMUNITY are generally good or
generally bad?"

Good

Bad

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

12/6-9/14

78

17

5

Whites

80

14

6

Blacks

66

28

5

8/19-20/14

78

18

4

Whites

82

15

3

Blacks

73

23

4

3/26-30/14

78

18

3

Whites

81

16

3

Blacks

70

26

4

8/7-11/13

79

15

5

Whites

80

14

5

Blacks

78

18

4

"In general, do you think police officers stop people of certain racial or
ethnic groups because they believe that these groups are more likely than
others to commit certain types of crimes, or don't
you think this happens?"

Stop certain
people

Don't think
this happens

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

12/6-9/14

65

28

7

Whites

61

33

6

Blacks

88

8

4

"Was there ever a specific instance when you felt discriminated against by
the police because of your race or ethnic background?"

Yes

No

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

12/6-9/14

18

81

-

Whites

10

90

-

Blacks

54

46

-

8/19-20/14

16

83

1

Whites

7

93

1

Blacks

45

55

-

7/24-28/09

18

82

0

"Do you think the racial makeup of a community's police department should be
similar to the racial makeup of that community as a whole, or don't you
think that's necessary?"

Should
be similar

Not
necessary

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

12/6-9/14

51

44

5

Whites

48

46

5

Blacks

63

34

3

8/19-20/14

46

50

4

Whites

46

50

4

Blacks

56

41

3

"In general, do you think the police in most communities are more likely to
use deadly force against a black person, or more likely to use it against a
white person, or don't you think race affects police use of deadly force?"

Against a
black person

Against a
white person

Race doesn't
affect use

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

12/6-9/14

40

2

51

7

Whites

33

2

57

8

Blacks

84

-

10

6

8/19-20/14

37

1

50

11

Whites

31

1

58

10

Blacks

71

-

20

9

"How much have you heard or read about a grand jury's decision not to indict
police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown in
Ferguson, Missouri: a lot, some or not much?"

A lot

Some

Not much

Nothing at
all (vol.)

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

62

20

16

2

1

Whites

61

20

16

2

1

Blacks

72

17

10

1

-

"From what you know, do you think the shooting of Michael Brown by Ferguson
police officer Darren Wilson was justified, or not justified, or don't you
know enough to say?"Aug. 2014: "From what you know, do you think the shooting of Michael Brown by police in
Ferguson was justified, or not justified, or don't you know enough to say?"

Justified

Not
justified

Don't know
enough

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

12/6-9/14

36

25

36

2

Whites

43

20

35

2

Blacks

6

64

29

-

8/19-20/14

9

25

64

2

Whites

12

18

68

2

Blacks

2

57

39

2

"How do you feel about a grand jury's decision to not indict Ferguson police
officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown -- are you
pleased, satisfied but not pleased, disappointed but not angry, or angry?"

Pleased

Satisfied

Disappointed

Angry

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

19

26

28

13

14

Whites

22

29

22

11

15

Blacks

4

9

55

27

5

"Do you think race was a major factor, a minor factor or not a factor in the
death of Michael Brown?"

Major
factor

Minor
factor

Not a
factor

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

ALL

29

20

41

10

Whites

22

20

48

10

Blacks

75

13

9

3

"How much have you heard or read about a grand jury's decision not to indict
police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner in Staten island,
New York: a lot, some or not much?"

A lot

Some

Not much

Nothing at
all (vol.)

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

39

26

29

4

2

Whites

37

28

28

4

2

Blacks

57

21

20

2

1

"From what you know, do you think the use of force by New York City police
officers in the arrest of Eric Garner was justified, or not justified, or
don't you know enough to say?"

Justified

Not
justified

Don't know
enough

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

12/6-9/14

12

41

45

2

Whites

14

38

46

1

Blacks

3

68

29

1

"How do you feel about a grand jury's decision to not indict New York City
police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner -- are you
pleased, satisfied but not pleased, disappointed but not angry, or angry?"

Pleased

Satisfied

Disappointed

Angry

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

7

17

35

19

23

Whites

8

19

32

17

23

Blacks

1

8

51

36

5

"Do you think race was a major factor, a minor factor or not a factor in the
death of Eric Garner?"

"How much, if anything, have you read or heard about the decision by a grand
jury not to charge Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Ferguson,
Missouri, teen Michael Brown? Have you heard a lot, a little, or nothing at
all?"

A lot

A little

Nothing
at all

%

%

%

12/3-7/14

75

19

6

"All things considered, do you think the grand jury made the right decision
or the wrong decision not to charge Darren Wilson in the death of Michael
Brown?"

Right
decision

Wrong
decision

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

ALL

50

37

13

Whites

64

23

13

Blacks

10

80

10

"Do you think that race was a major factor, a minor factor or not a factor
at all in the decision not to charge Darren Wilson in the death of Michael
Brown?"

Major
factor

Minor
factor

Not a
factor

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

ALL

27

16

48

9

Whites

16

17

60

7

Blacks

64

17

9

10

"How much, if anything, have you read or heard about the decision by a grand
jury not to charge a police officer in the choking death of New York City
man Eric Garner? Have you heard a lot, a little, or nothing at all?"
Asked Dec. 4-7, 2014, N=1,114.

A lot

A little

Nothing
at all

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

12/4-7/14

52

33

15

1

"All things considered, do you think the grand jury made the right decision
or the wrong decision not to charge a police officer in the death of Eric
Garner?"Asked Dec. 4-7, 2014, N=1,114.

Right
decision

Wrong
decision

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

ALL

22

57

20

Whites

28

47

25

Blacks

2

90

8

"Do you think that race was a major factor, a minor factor or not a factor
at all in the decision not to charge a police officer in the death of Eric
Garner?"Asked Dec. 4-7, 2014, N=1,114.

Major
factor

Minor
factor

Not a
factor

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

ALL

28

16

39

17

Whites

18

16

48

18

Blacks

62

18

11

9

"Over the course of the next year, do you think relations between local
police forces and minorities in communities around the country will get
better, get worse, or stay about the same?"

"How much confidence do you have in police officers in your community to
treat blacks and whites equally: a great deal, a fair amount, just some, or
very little confidence?"

A great
deal

A fair
amount

Just
some

Very
little

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

44

25

11

16

4

Whites

52

26

9

10

3

Blacks

12

21

20

43

5

Latinos

29

28

18

20

6

"Have you heard a lot, quite a bit, some, or nothing at all about the recent
grand jury decisions in Ferguson, Missouri, and Staten Island, New York, not
to indict police officers in the killing of unarmed men?"

A lot

Quite
a bit

Some

Nothing
at all

%

%

%

%

ALL

62

14

16

7

Whites

65

15

15

5

Blacks

59

19

12

10

Latinos

47

10

27

16

"Have those decisions increased or decreased your confidence in the legal
system?"

Increased

Decreased

Made no
difference
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

ALL

17

43

32

8

Whites

21

35

36

8

Blacks

9

70

14

7

Latinos

8

57

28

7

"Do you agree or disagree that law enforcement applies different standards
to whites and blacks? ... And, do you feel that way strongly or not so
strongly?"

Strongly
agree

Not so
strongly
agree

Not so
strongly
disagree

Strongly
disagree

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

36

11

8

36

9

Whites

28

11

9

42

10

Blacks

80

2

4

10

5

Latinos

34

19

5

33

8

"Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's handling of these grand
jury decisions?"

"Do you think race relations have gotten better, gotten worse, or stayed
about the same under the first black president?"

Better

Worse

About
the same

Unsure

%

%

%

%

ALL

9

53

36

2

Whites

7

56

35

2

Blacks

15

45

36

4

"A grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri, decided not to bring criminal charges
against a white police officer in the shooting of an unarmed black teenager
last summer. Do you agree or disagree with that decision?"

Agree

Disagree

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

52

36

12

Whites

64

25

11

Blacks

4

89

7

"A grand jury in New York City decided not to bring criminal charges against
a white police officer in the choke-hold death of an unarmed black man last
summer. The man was being arrested for selling cigarettes illegally and
began arguing with police. Do you agree or disagree with that decision?"
Per Selzer & Co.: "Question inserted shortly after
interviewing had begun; n=911."

"Please tell me if you completely agree, mostly agree, mostly DISagree or
completely disagree with the following statement:
Blacks and other minorities receive equal treatment as whites in the
criminal justice system."

"As you may know, a grand jury has decided not to bring criminal charges
against a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, over the shooting of
an unarmed black teenager last summer. Do you approve or disapprove of the
grand jury's decision not to charge the police officer?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

48

45

7

Whites

58

35

7

Blacks

9

85

6

Hispanics

32

61

7

"Would you approve or disapprove of the federal government bringing civil
rights charges against the police officer?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

48

47

5

Whites

38

57

6

Blacks

85

12

3

Hispanics

67

29

4

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the police and other local
authorities have handled the protests in Ferguson?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

39

52

9

Whites

41

48

10

Blacks

25

70

5

Hispanics

39

55

6

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama has handled this
issue?"

"Now here are a few questions about recent events in Ferguson, Missouri,
where a grand jury is deciding whether a police officer named Darren Wilson
should be indicted for shooting a black teenager named Michael Brown in
August. As you may know, grand juries only decide whether someone should be
charged with a crime and put on trial, not whether that person is guilty or
not guilty.

"Based on what you have read
or heard, do you think the grand jury should charge the police officer,
Darren Wilson, with murder, or do you think the grand jury should charge him
with a lesser crime, or do you think the grand jury should not charge him
with any crime at all?"

Murder

Lesser
crime

No crime
at all

Unsure

%

%

%

%

ALL

32

25

31

12

Whites

23

26

38

14

Non-whites

54

24

15

7

"If the grand jury does not charge Darren Wilson with murder, do you think
peaceful protests in Ferguson would be justified or unjustified?"

Justified

Unjustified

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

63

33

3

Whites

64

32

4

Non-whites

63

35

2

"And if the grand jury does not charge Darren Wilson with murder, do you
think violent protests in Ferguson would be justified or unjustified?"

"As I read a list of some stories covered by news organizations this past
week, please tell me if you happened to follow each news story very closely,
fairly closely, not too closely, or not at all closely. ... The police
shooting of an African American teen and protests in Ferguson, Missouri."

Very
closely

Fairly
closely

Not too
closely

Not at all
closely

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

%

8/14-17/14

27

30

18

23

2

"Thinking about the police shooting of an African American teen in Ferguson,
Missouri, overall, do you think that this case raises important issues about
race that need to be discussed, or do you think the issue of race is getting
more attention in this case than it deserves?" Options rotated

Raises
important
issues
about race

Race getting
too much
attention

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

ALL

44

40

15

Whites

37

47

16

Blacks

80

18

2

Hispanics

50

25

24

Republicans

22

61

17

Independents

40

46

14

Democrats

68

21

11

"In the aftermath of the police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, do you think
that the police response has gone too far, or do you think the police
response has been about right?" Options rotated

Has gone
too far

Has been
about right

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

ALL

40

28

31

Whites

33

32

35

Blacks

65

20

15

"How much confidence do you have in the investigations of the police
shooting in Ferguson, Missouri: a great deal of confidence, a fair amount of
confidence, not too much confidence, or no confidence at all?"

"In general, who do you think has a better chance of getting ahead in
today's society -- white people, black people, or do white people and black
people have about an equal chance of getting ahead?"

White
people

Black
people

About
equal

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

6/18-22/14

30

5

61

4

Whites

28

5

63

4

Blacks

46

4

46

4

3/26-30/14

34

5

59

3

Whites

31

5

61

3

Blacks

44

4

51

2

8/7-11/13

32

6

56

6

Whites

29

7

60

4

Blacks

50

4

38

8

"Some people say that since the 1960s there has been a lot of real progress
in getting rid of racial discrimination against blacks. Others say that
there hasn't been much real progress for blacks over that time. Which do you
agree with more? Would you say there's been a lot of real progress getting
rid of racial discrimination or hasn't there been much real progress?"

A lot
of real
progress

Hasn't been
much real
progress

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

6/18-22/14

78

19

2

Whites

82

16

2

Blacks

59

38

2

3/26-30/14

79

20

2

Whites

81

18

1

Blacks

68

31

1

8/7-11/13

73

20

7

Whites

78

17

5

Blacks

55

39

6

"How much discrimination do you think there is against African Americans in
our society today: a lot, some, only a little, or none at all?"

A lot

Some

Only
a little

None
at all

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

%

6/18-22/14

17

49

27

5

2

Whites

14

51

28

5

1

Blacks

41

47

9

1

3

8/7-11/13

19

49

22

7

4

Whites

15

52

23

8

4

Blacks

40

40

14

1

5

"The 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex or national origin. Do you consider passage of the 1964 Civil
Rights Act to be a very important event in U.S. history, somewhat important,
not very important, or not at all important?"

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not very
important

Not at all
important

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

%

6/18-22/14

76

19

3

2

1

Whites

77

18

3

2

1

Blacks

73

23

1

-

3

3/26-30/14

78

17

2

2

1

Whites

77

18

1

2

1

Blacks

79

17

2

2

-

"Thinking about the goals of Martin Luther King and the 1960s civil rights
movement, do you think that all of their goals have been achieved, most have
been achieved, only some have been achieved, or almost none of their goals
have been achieved?"

"As you may know, the commissioner of the NBA has fined Donald Sterling, the
owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, and banned him
from any contact with that team in response to a recording of comments that
Sterling made about blacks. Do you think the other NBA owners should force
Donald Sterling to sell the Los Angeles Clippers, or don't you think so?"

Should force
him to sell

Don't
think so

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

47

50

3

Whites

42

55

3

Non-whites

61

38

1

Democrats

63

36

1

Independents

42

54

4

Republicans

37

59

3

CBS News/New York Times Poll. April 30-May 1, 2014.
N=1,054 adults nationwide.
Per CBS: "Additional interviews were conducted with African Americans, who
had previously completed a survey as part of a random sample, to yield a
sample size of 275. 660 whites were interviewed. The African American and
non-African American samples were weighted separately to match their group's
population characteristics such as gender, age, education, region, marital
status and phone use based on recent U.S. Census estimates. The samples were
then combined and weighted to the total U.S. adult population. The error due
to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus
three percentage points. ... The margin of error for the sample of whites is
5 pts and 8 pts for African Americans."

"It was recently revealed that Donald Sterling, owner of the basketball team
the Los Angeles Clippers, made controversial remarks about African
Americans. How much have you heard or read about this incident: a lot, some,
or not much?"

A lot

Some

Not much

Nothing
(vol.)

%

%

%

%

4/30 - 5/1/14

51

24

21

3

Whites

50

25

21

3

Blacks

55

21

21

2

"In response to Donald Sterling's controversial remarks about African
Americans, the National Basketball Association, or NBA,
has fined him $2.5 million and banned him for life from attending games and
participating in NBA activities. Do you think this punishment is too
lenient, too hard, or is this punishment about right?"

Too lenient

Too hard

About right

No
punishment
(vol.)

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

%

4/30 - 5/1/14

9

25

55

2

10

Whites

8

28

52

1

11

Blacks

12

14

71

-

3

"Should Donald Sterling be forced to sell the Los Angeles Clippers, or not?"

Should

Should not

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

4/30 - 5/1/14

49

40

12

Whites

43

44

13

Blacks

71

21

8

"In general, do you think the attitudes about African Americans expressed by
Donald Sterling are widespread among team owners in professional sports or
don't you think those attitudes are widespread?"

Widespread

Not
widespread

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

4/30 - 5/1/14

25

56

19

Whites

17

63

19

Blacks

54

33

13

"Donald Sterling made his controversial remarks about African Americans in a
private conversation that was recorded and later made public. Do you think
it is acceptable for Donald Sterling to be punished for these remarks he
made in a private conversation, or not acceptable?"

"All in all, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your community as a
place to live in?"

Satisfied

Dissatisfied

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

ALL

89

9

1

Whites

92

7

1

Blacks

82

16

2

Hispanics

88

11

2

"As you may know, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his 'I Have a Dream Speech' at
a civil rights march in Washington almost 50 years ago. ... Overall, how
much progress toward Martin Luther King's dream of racial equality do you
think the U.S. has made over the last 50 years: a lot, some, a little, or
none at all?"
Options rotated

A lot

Some

A little

None
at all

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

45

36

12

4

3

Whites

48

38

9

2

3

Blacks

32

39

22

5

1

Hispanics

43

28

17

6

6

"And how much more needs to be done in order to achieve Martin Luther King's
dream of racial equality: a lot, some, a little, or none at all?" Options rotated

A lot

Some

A little

None
at all

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

49

31

10

6

4

Whites

44

35

10

7

4

Blacks

79

12

7

1

1

Hispanics

48

29

11

4

8

"Now I have some questions about how some groups in our society get along …
In general, how well do you think [see below]
get along with each other these days? Would you say very well, pretty well,
not too well, or not at all well? ... What about how well [see below]
get along?"

Very
well

Pretty
well

Not
too well

Not at
all well

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

%

"Whites and Hispanics"

ALL

13

61

18

2

6

Whites

12

64

16

2

5

Blacks

13

51

22

2

12

Hispanics

18

55

20

3

3

"Blacks and Hispanics"

ALL

10

44

25

5

16

Whites

6

42

25

4

22

Blacks

22

56

18

1

4

Hispanics

16

44

30

7

3

"Blacks and whites"

ALL

13

63

17

3

4

Whites

12

69

14

2

4

Blacks

16

57

23

2

2

Hispanics

12

48

27

8

5

"All in all, compared with five years ago, do you think the situation of
black people in this country today is better, worse, or about the same?"

Better

Worse

About
the same

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

ALL

35

12

49

4

Whites

35

12

49

3

Blacks

26

21

51

3

Hispanics

37

8

50

5

"Now thinking about the financial situation of blacks compared with whites
TODAY, would you say the average black person is better off, worse off or
just about as well off as the average white person in terms of income and
overall financial situation?"

Better
off

Worse
off

Just about
as well off

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

ALL

10

41

41

8

Whites

10

39

43

8

Blacks

9

59

27

4

Hispanics

12

36

44

8

"Just your impression, are blacks in your community treated less fairly than
whites in the following situations? First, [see below]? ... What
about [see below]?"

Yes,
less fairly

No, not
less fairly

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

"On the job or at work"

ALL

25

64

11

Whites

16

72

12

Blacks

54

38

8

Hispanics

40

50

9

"In stores or restaurants"

ALL

23

70

7

Whites

16

77

7

Blacks

44

48

8

Hispanics

35

58

7

"In getting health care from
doctors and hospitals"

ALL

21

63

15

Whites

14

69

17

Blacks

47

48

6

Hispanics

36

49

15

"In dealing with the police"

ALL

44

45

11

Whites

37

51

13

Blacks

70

25

5

Hispanics

51

37

11

"In the courts"

ALL

35

49

16

Whites

27

56

16

Blacks

68

25

7

Hispanics

40

39

21

"In local public schools"

ALL

22

66

12

Whites

15

73

12

Blacks

51

37

12

Hispanics

32

56

11

"When voting in elections"

ALL

20

69

11

Whites

13

77

10

Blacks

48

47

5

Hispanics

30

52

18

"During the past 12 months, have you personally experienced discrimination
or been treated unfairly because of your race or ethnic background, or not?"

"In general, do you think race relations in the United States are very good,
fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad?"

Very
good

Fairly
good

Fairly
bad

Very
bad

Mixed (vol.)/
Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

ALL

4

48

28

16

4

Whites

3

49

32

13

3

Blacks

6

32

25

33

4

Hispanics

3

57

22

13

5

"Please tell me whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat
disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement: America is a
nation where people are not judged by the color of their skin but by the
content of their character."

"Let me read you two brief statements on affirmative action programs, and
see which one comes closer to your point of view. Affirmative action
programs are still needed to counteract the effects of discrimination
against minorities, and are a good idea as long as there are no rigid
quotas. OR, Affirmative action programs have gone too far in favoring
minorities, and should be phased out because they unfairly discriminate
against whites."
Options rotated

Still
needed

Should be
phased out

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

6/27-30/13

53

37

10

"Now I would like to ask you a few more questions about two rulings made by
the Supreme Court this week. As you may know, the Supreme Court struck down
a part of the Voting Rights Act that required nine states, mostly in the
South, to have federal approval for any changes to their election laws.
Because of this week's ruling, those nine states can now change their
election laws without prior federal approval. Do you favor or oppose the
Supreme Court's ruling in this case?"

"Now let me read you two brief statements on affirmative action programs,
and ask which one comes closer to your own point of view. Affirmative action
programs are still needed to counteract the effects of discrimination
against minorities, and are a good idea as long as there are no rigid
quotas. OR, Affirmative action programs have gone too far in favoring
minorities, and should be ended because they unfairly discriminate against
whites." Options
rotated

"Martin Luther King gave his famous 'I Have a Dream Speech' at a civil
rights march in Washington in 1963. In your view, do you think the U.S. has
fulfilled the vision King outlined in that speech, or don't you think so?"

Has
fulfilled

Don't
think so

Unfamiliar
with speech
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

1/14-15/13

50

47

1

2

Whites

51

46

1

2

Non-whites

49

50

-

-

1/14-16/11

48

49

1

2

12/16-20/09

51

47

1

1

1/12-15/09

49

49

1

-

3/26 - 4/2/08

34

59

4

3

"Martin Luther King gave his famous 'I Have a Dream Speech' at a civil
rights march in Washington in 1963. In your view, do you think the U.S. has
fulfilled the vision King outlined in that speech, or don't you think so?"
If hasn't fulfilled King's vision:
"Do you think the U.S. can eventually fulfill the vision in King's speech,
or don't you think so?" Combined responses

"Do you think that relations between blacks and whites will always be a
problem for the United States, or that a solution will eventually be worked
out?"

Always a
problem

Eventually
worked out

Unsure

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

46

52

2

Blacks

55

42

2

Whites

44

54

2

10/16-19/09

40

56

4

6/5 - 7/6/08

38

58

3

5/1-3/08

42

54

4

6/4-24/07

43

54

4

6/8-25/06

42

54

4

6/6-25/05

46

50

4

6/9-30/04

45

51

4

"How much of a role, if any, do you think the government should have in
trying to improve the social and economic position of blacks and other
minority groups in this country: a major role, a minor role, or no role at
all?"

Major role

Minor role

No role

Unsure

%

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

27

46

26

1

Blacks

59

32

8

1

Whites

19

50

30

1

6/6-25/05

37

44

17

2

6/9-30/04

40

45

14

1

"Thinking back over your lifetime, how do you feel civil rights for blacks
have changed in this country? Would you say the situation has greatly
improved, somewhat improved, stayed pretty much the same, somewhat worsened,
or greatly worsened?"

Greatly
improved

Somewhat
improved

Pretty much
the same

Somewhat
worsened

Greatly
worsened

%

%

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

50

39

8

1

2

Blacks

29

56

9

4

2

Whites

53

37

8

1

1

"Do you think new civil rights laws are needed to reduce discrimination
against blacks, or not?"

Are
needed

Are not
needed

Unsure

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

21

76

2

Blacks

52

48

1

Whites

15

83

3

"Do you approve or disapprove of marriage between blacks and whites?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

86

11

3

Blacks

96

2

2

Whites

83

14

3

9/7-8/07

79

15

6

6/4-24/07

77

17

6

9/18-20/94

48

37

15

4/29 - 5/2/83

43

50

7

For comparison:"Do you approve or disapprove of marriage between whites and non-whites?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

7/21-24/78

36

54

10

10/13-16/72

29

60

11

6/26 - 7/1/68

20

73

8

For comparison:"Do you approve or disapprove of marriage between white and colored
people?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

9/24-29/58

4

94

3

"How do you view Barack Obama's election as president in terms of progress
for blacks in the United States -- as the most important advance for blacks
in the past one hundred years; as one of the two
or three most important advances for blacks in the past one hundred years,
but not the most important; important, but not
among the most important advances; or not that
important?"

Most
important

One of most
important

Important,
but not
among most
important

Not that
important

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

15

27

30

26

3

Blacks

34

31

23

9

3

Whites

10

27

32

29

2

10/16-19/09

20

38

24

16

2

11/5/08

33

38

15

10

4

"As a result of Barack Obama's election, do you think race relations in this
country have gotten a lot better, gotten a little better, not changed,
gotten a little worse, or gotten a lot worse?"

A lot
better

A little
better

Not
changed

A little
worse

A lot
worse

%

%

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

7

28

41

16

7

Blacks

14

34

27

16

8

Whites

6

25

45

16

6

"In the years ahead, as a result of Barack Obama's presidency, do you think
race relations in this country will get a lot better, get a little better,
not change, get a little worse, or get a lot worse in the long term?"

A lot
better

A little
better

Not
change

A little
worse

A lot
worse

%

%

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

12

40

35

8

3

Blacks

24

40

21

10

4

Whites

9

39

39

7

3

10/16-19/09

15

46

25

7

6

"Next we have a question about a president's policies to help improve the
standard of living of blacks in the United States. Do you think the policies
of Barack Obama will go too far, will be about right, or will not go far
enough in promoting efforts to aid the black community?"

Go too far

Be about
right

Not go far
enough

Unsure

%

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

25

43

23

10

Blacks

5

47

43

5

Whites

29

42

18

12

"Thinking back to Dr. Martin Luther King and his dream of racial equality,
do you think that dream has now been realized in the United States, or not?"

Has been

Has not

%

%

8/4-7/11

51

49

Blacks

54

45

Whites

49

51

"Thinking back to Dr. Martin Luther King and his dream of racial equality,
do you think that dream has now been realized in the United States, or not?"
If has not been realized:
"Do you think the United States has made major progress toward realizing
that dream, minor progress, or no progress at all?" Combined responses

Has been

Has not:
Major
progress

Has not:
Minor
progress

Has not:
No progress
at all

%

%

%

%

8/4-7/11

51

23

23

3

Blacks

54

13

28

4

Whites

49

26

23

2

"As you may know, a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is being opened
in Washington, D.C., this month. Do you approve or disapprove of having a
memorial to Martin Luther King there?"

"Martin Luther King gave his famous 'I Have a Dream Speech' at a civil
rights march in Washington in 1963. In your view, do you think the United
States has fulfilled the vision King outlined in that speech, or don't you
think so?"

Has

Has not

Unfamiliar
with speech
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

ALL

34

55

1

10

Blacks

36

56

-

7

Whites

30

57

2

11

If has not been fulfilled:"Do you think the United States can eventually fulfill the vision in
Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech, or don't you think so?"